Exercisers

I'm curious how everyone's doing with their exercise in the second trimester?

I'm almost 20 weeks and have a lot more energy so I've been getting better workouts in, but it amazes me how little it takes to wipe me out. I'm still being consistent, which I guess is more important than how intense it is. I've been able to run more than during the first trimester which is awesome because it makes me feel more like myself.

I carried a friend's baby in her car seat and am so scared. That is so heavy and awkward! So I'm working hard on my upper body so I won't be struggling with all the gear later.

For those of you who have been through this before, do you think exercise helped you in delivery or recovery?

I'm curious how everyone's doing with their exercise in the second trimester?

I'm almost 20 weeks and have a lot more energy so I've been getting better workouts in, but it amazes me how little it takes to wipe me out. I'm still being consistent, which I guess is more important than how intense it is. I've been able to run more than during the first trimester which is awesome because it makes me feel more like myself.

I carried a friend's baby in her car seat and am so scared. That is so heavy and awkward! So I'm working hard on my upper body so I won't be struggling with all the gear later.

For those of you who have been through this before, do you think exercise helped you in delivery or recovery?

Hi,I'm also interested to hear how other people are getting on with exercising. Great thread movinmamma!

The first few weeks of my pregnancy nothing really changed, I was actually running more than I ever had and building up both my stamina and speed. However around 12 weeks my MS got much worse and although I'm now 18 weeks it's still going strong and I'm also still needing lots of sleep and rest, to get me through my work days. I've gone from working out 4x per week to 2x per week. I do one day strength training, one day cardio - jogging (increasingly gentle!) with some calisthenics. I'm pretty active all day also as I'm a teacher. It's been pretty frustrating as I can't do anywhere near as much as I could,I just get wiped out very easily.

I'm hoping my nausea will finally quit and I'll get the burst of energy I'm so jealously hearing about from other Moms to be :). At that point I plan to add some more walking into my routine at least. For now though I'm listening to my body (reluctantly) and when it says 'hey confine yourself to the couch' I'm going with it.

I'm kind of dreading how long it will take me to get back to my usual routine after the birth. I haven't gained any weight though, so at least, so far that's not an issue.

Hi,I'm also interested to hear how other people are getting on with exercising. Great thread movinmamma!

The first few weeks of my pregnancy nothing really changed, I was actually running more than I ever had and building up both my stamina and speed. However around 12 weeks my MS got much worse and although I'm now 18 weeks it's still going strong and I'm also still needing lots of sleep and rest, to get me through my work days. I've gone from working out 4x per week to 2x per week. I do one day strength training, one day cardio - jogging (increasingly gentle!) with some calisthenics. I'm pretty active all day also as I'm a teacher. It's been pretty frustrating as I can't do anywhere near as much as I could,I just get wiped out very easily.

I'm hoping my nausea will finally quit and I'll get the burst of energy I'm so jealously hearing about from other Moms to be :). At that point I plan to add some more walking into my routine at least. For now though I'm listening to my body (reluctantly) and when it says 'hey confine yourself to the couch' I'm going with it.

I'm kind of dreading how long it will take me to get back to my usual routine after the birth. I haven't gained any weight though, so at least, so far that's not an issue.

This is a good thread! Â Before being pregnant, I practiced very intense yoga very regularly (3X per week) and went to a gym to jog 2X per week. Â When I first found out I was pregnant my doctor told me to stop going to the vigorous classes because of the heat (not crazy Bikrim yoga at 100 degrees, but still kind of hot). Â I started going to "mellow" classes that don't use heat and did that twice a week the whole first trimester. Â I started walking more frequently to make up for it.

Now that I'm in the second trimester, the doctor gave me the OK to go back to the heated class as long as I stay in a cool corner of the room. Â It's been good, but I'm having a hard time keeping up with the pace now, and there are things I can't do (abdominals, twisting, backbends, etc). Â I'm still doing the treadmill, but I'm having motivational issues. This past week I only exercised twice and feel a bit guilty...

I'm 16 weeks, by the way...This week I'll be better about going :)

This is a good thread! Â Before being pregnant, I practiced very intense yoga very regularly (3X per week) and went to a gym to jog 2X per week. Â When I first found out I was pregnant my doctor told me to stop going to the vigorous classes because of the heat (not crazy Bikrim yoga at 100 degrees, but still kind of hot). Â I started going to "mellow" classes that don't use heat and did that twice a week the whole first trimester. Â I started walking more frequently to make up for it.

Now that I'm in the second trimester, the doctor gave me the OK to go back to the heated class as long as I stay in a cool corner of the room. Â It's been good, but I'm having a hard time keeping up with the pace now, and there are things I can't do (abdominals, twisting, backbends, etc). Â I'm still doing the treadmill, but I'm having motivational issues. This past week I only exercised twice and feel a bit guilty...

Pre-pregnancy, I ran 6x/week and did strength training 3-4x/week. First trimester, I was so sick I walked every day, but didn't do a more intense workout on most days. Now I'm back to exercising 6x/week, but much lighter workouts than before. If I want to run, I do a slow jog instead, if I do aerobics that aren't designed for prenatal workout, I take breaks, etc. I've also modified other workouts (like pilates...I can't give up on parts of it, but I'm not doing the ab work anymore or exercising flat on my back for more than a couple of minutes). I was sick a week or so ago and skipped my workouts and ended up getting a bad case of sciatica and feeling much more exhausted than normal. Once I resumed exercise, the sciatica went away and I felt so much better. In my last pregnancy, I went on bedrest at the end, and felt terrible...for me, not being able to exercise was really hard on me physically and emotionally. But, since Sophia ended up being premature anyway, I wasn't out of the game for long. 4 weeks after my c-section I was back to running a few miles (slowly) each day. I had an incredibly easy recovery despite lots of complications with the delivery and pregnancy, and I'm sure that was because of the exercise. Needless to say, I'm a big fan of exercise during pregnancy. Every little bit helps, in my opinion.

Pre-pregnancy, I ran 6x/week and did strength training 3-4x/week. First trimester, I was so sick I walked every day, but didn't do a more intense workout on most days. Now I'm back to exercising 6x/week, but much lighter workouts than before. If I want to run, I do a slow jog instead, if I do aerobics that aren't designed for prenatal workout, I take breaks, etc. I've also modified other workouts (like pilates...I can't give up on parts of it, but I'm not doing the ab work anymore or exercising flat on my back for more than a couple of minutes). I was sick a week or so ago and skipped my workouts and ended up getting a bad case of sciatica and feeling much more exhausted than normal. Once I resumed exercise, the sciatica went away and I felt so much better. In my last pregnancy, I went on bedrest at the end, and felt terrible...for me, not being able to exercise was really hard on me physically and emotionally. But, since Sophia ended up being premature anyway, I wasn't out of the game for long. 4 weeks after my c-section I was back to running a few miles (slowly) each day. I had an incredibly easy recovery despite lots of complications with the delivery and pregnancy, and I'm sure that was because of the exercise. Needless to say, I'm a big fan of exercise during pregnancy. Every little bit helps, in my opinion.

I've never been one to exercise for the sake of exercising. On many occasions I would go to the gym and work out for about an hour, most recently while my son was doing his karate class in another room in the same building. After a while I'd lose initiative and quit.

Finally started karate myself this past March, and have been doing it ever since. The OB and the sensei (instructor) agree I can continue all the way through the pregnancy as long as I keep track of what my body is telling me, don't push it too hard, and quit sparring.

I've never been one to exercise for the sake of exercising. On many occasions I would go to the gym and work out for about an hour, most recently while my son was doing his karate class in another room in the same building. After a while I'd lose initiative and quit.

Finally started karate myself this past March, and have been doing it ever since. The OB and the sensei (instructor) agree I can continue all the way through the pregnancy as long as I keep track of what my body is telling me, don't push it too hard, and quit sparring.

I'm so glad to have (most of) my energy back, but sad that a lot of previous activities are out. I meant to start swimming, but the schedule hasn't worked well for that. However, between belly dance and prenatal yoga, I've kept quite active enough. Those classes really seem to make both me and the Little One happy.

:)Arroxane

I'm so glad to have (most of) my energy back, but sad that a lot of previous activities are out. I meant to start swimming, but the schedule hasn't worked well for that. However, between belly dance and prenatal yoga, I've kept quite active enough. Those classes really seem to make both me and the Little One happy.

You know, I've surprisingly given up my running. I normally run or road cycle daily with weight training three times per week. Lately though, between getting winded easier, and feeling sort of dizzy/nauseous by the running motion. I have been speed walking at a local park (there is a tow path), but now I am finding for the first time in my life that I am getting crazy hip pain by about mile four. I don't know what is going on with that. And, after hikes (usually no more than two hours) the backs of my knees hurt a lot. It must have something to do with pregnancy, but I don't know what. Since this is all the activity I am getting in now, I just put up with it...

You know, I've surprisingly given up my running. I normally run or road cycle daily with weight training three times per week. Lately though, between getting winded easier, and feeling sort of dizzy/nauseous by the running motion. I have been speed walking at a local park (there is a tow path), but now I am finding for the first time in my life that I am getting crazy hip pain by about mile four. I don't know what is going on with that. And, after hikes (usually no more than two hours) the backs of my knees hurt a lot. It must have something to do with pregnancy, but I don't know what. Since this is all the activity I am getting in now, I just put up with it...

i've never really been good at working out. Â i am one of those that will do really good for the first week or so and then after that i would get lazy and stop. Â but i want to start getting back into it now so that it will be easier to drop the baby weight. Â does anyone know how much weight we can left? Â because when i did work out, i would push myself as hard as i could. Â i kinda like the feeling the next day when it feels like your legs are going to fall off.

i've never really been good at working out. Â i am one of those that will do really good for the first week or so and then after that i would get lazy and stop. Â but i want to start getting back into it now so that it will be easier to drop the baby weight. Â does anyone know how much weight we can left? Â because when i did work out, i would push myself as hard as i could. Â i kinda like the feeling the next day when it feels like your legs are going to fall off.

I feel really bad saying this, i only worked out a handful of times in my first trimester - i was too tired to do anything but sleep.

Now being 19 weeks i have a Prenatal workout dvd by Erin O' Brien and I cannot recommend it enough. Its stretching, cardio, calisthenics, some strength training using your own body weight. Its great because you dont need any equipment.Â I started off 3 x a week, now i do it every day.Â

Now im feeling like i want to do more, but im scared of wiping myself out!

Love

b xÂ

I feel really bad saying this, i only worked out a handful of times in my first trimester - i was too tired to do anything but sleep.

Now being 19 weeks i have a Prenatal workout dvd by Erin O' Brien and I cannot recommend it enough. Its stretching, cardio, calisthenics, some strength training using your own body weight. Its great because you dont need any equipment.Â I started off 3 x a week, now i do it every day.Â

Now im feeling like i want to do more, but im scared of wiping myself out!

SheGoody - That pain in the back of your knee is probably the infamous leg cramps we get taking hold of your hamstrings.

Sonnygirl - How much you can lift during pregnancy really depends on your physical condition and if you're having any complications with your pregnancy. I would say "don't strain yourself" as a rule of thumb, but for anything more specific than that, you'll have to ask your OB.

Everyone - Even if you quit after a week or two, it's better than not having done anything. Being in relatively good shape is proven to make labor easier. Maybe you can use that knowledge to motivate yourself. "Gym today or an extra 12 hours in the hospital? Hmmm...."

Btw, I likely test for blue belt next week. Yay!

SheGoody - That pain in the back of your knee is probably the infamous leg cramps we get taking hold of your hamstrings.

Sonnygirl - How much you can lift during pregnancy really depends on your physical condition and if you're having any complications with your pregnancy. I would say "don't strain yourself" as a rule of thumb, but for anything more specific than that, you'll have to ask your OB.

Everyone - Even if you quit after a week or two, it's better than not having done anything. Being in relatively good shape is proven to make labor easier. Maybe you can use that knowledge to motivate yourself. "Gym today or an extra 12 hours in the hospital? Hmmm...."

Ha, I haven't done so much as a lunge in about 3 months or more, and pre-pregnancy I used to run 15 miles/week, aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, lots of abs.. I went running twice when I didn't yet know I was pregnant, and couldn't figure out why it was so much harder than usual! Once I knew, I kept up the aerobics and kickboxing for a few weeks, but running was just too much. Then we moved house, so between that and feeling really tired, it just all kind of slipped. I'd love to get back to jogging and some upper body work now that I'm feeling more energetic. I feel like I'd need some kind of belly support garment though; like a bump band? Does anyone else use anything like that when exercising? Oh, and I'd need to buy a (much) bigger exercise bra :o)

Ha, I haven't done so much as a lunge in about 3 months or more, and pre-pregnancy I used to run 15 miles/week, aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, lots of abs.. I went running twice when I didn't yet know I was pregnant, and couldn't figure out why it was so much harder than usual! Once I knew, I kept up the aerobics and kickboxing for a few weeks, but running was just too much. Then we moved house, so between that and feeling really tired, it just all kind of slipped. I'd love to get back to jogging and some upper body work now that I'm feeling more energetic. I feel like I'd need some kind of belly support garment though; like a bump band? Does anyone else use anything like that when exercising? Oh, and I'd need to buy a (much) bigger exercise bra :o)

This is my second pregnancy. I am 21 weeks and I dont know if it because it is so early or because I was pregnant in the summer for DD1 but this time is much easier and I think it is from running. (If you can call it that!) I go very slow and take walk breaks but I am out there for at least 30 minutes and I have no swelling in my hands and feet, no back pain, and no constipation. I have only gained about 13 pounds so far which is ok. I gained 43 w/ my daughter. I did exercise w/her. I walked, lifted weights, did prenatal yoga etc but no running. I had a fairly easy labor/delivery (as easy as it can be I guess. You still have to squeeze out a baby head no matter what) and my nurse said it was b/c I exercised.

I do find it really hard to breathe though and I am worrying that I wont be a ble to keep it up as the baby gets bigger and I lose room around my lungs. Plus I have a hard time breathing in the cold weather when I am not pregnant. I do wear a maternity belt and it helps so much!

Great post movin mamma!

This is my second pregnancy. I am 21 weeks and I dont know if it because it is so early or because I was pregnant in the summer for DD1 but this time is much easier and I think it is from running. (If you can call it that!) I go very slow and take walk breaks but I am out there for at least 30 minutes and I have no swelling in my hands and feet, no back pain, and no constipation. I have only gained about 13 pounds so far which is ok. I gained 43 w/ my daughter. I did exercise w/her. I walked, lifted weights, did prenatal yoga etc but no running. I had a fairly easy labor/delivery (as easy as it can be I guess. You still have to squeeze out a baby head no matter what) and my nurse said it was b/c I exercised.

I do find it really hard to breathe though and I am worrying that I wont be a ble to keep it up as the baby gets bigger and I lose room around my lungs. Plus I have a hard time breathing in the cold weather when I am not pregnant. I do wear a maternity belt and it helps so much!

Ladies,I totally surprised myself today. I walked 1/2 a mile, did some calisthenics. Then I topped my work out off with a 12 minute mile. It was a very slow, steady jog, but I really didn't think I had it in me anymore, especially at a constant pace. I am really proud of myself :) I just kept breathing, and was smiling to myself as I thought this has to be good practice for labour.

On the down side, my knees ached yesterday evening.

So maybe this is things on the up and my energy and appetite are returning - I then went home and ate a cheese omelette and beans for my dinner, which was more than I've been managing lately also.

Ladies,I totally surprised myself today. I walked 1/2 a mile, did some calisthenics. Then I topped my work out off with a 12 minute mile. It was a very slow, steady jog, but I really didn't think I had it in me anymore, especially at a constant pace. I am really proud of myself :) I just kept breathing, and was smiling to myself as I thought this has to be good practice for labour.

On the down side, my knees ached yesterday evening.

So maybe this is things on the up and my energy and appetite are returning - I then went home and ate a cheese omelette and beans for my dinner, which was more than I've been managing lately also.

It's awesome to know so many of us are still exercising!! And it's great to know that it's true that it makes labor easier. I always wondered if that was true.

A study I read earlier this year said that the babies of exercising mommas were born with lower heart rates and healthier lungs. They always knew that was a benefit for the exerciser herself, but had no idea the baby reeped the same rewards! I think that's so cool that we can do something to actively give our babies a bit of a better start.

It's awesome to know so many of us are still exercising!! And it's great to know that it's true that it makes labor easier. I always wondered if that was true.

A study I read earlier this year said that the babies of exercising mommas were born with lower heart rates and healthier lungs. They always knew that was a benefit for the exerciser herself, but had no idea the baby reeped the same rewards! I think that's so cool that we can do something to actively give our babies a bit of a better start.

I have always been an exerciser and with my first i continued working out like normal; cardio and strength training. I fizzed out a bit towards the end of the pregnancy when i got bigger but I definitely think it helps with the big event.. Having a strong core will definitely help when you are pushing. I literally was recovered the next morning and walking around just fine. Unfortunately i am high risk now and am not allowed to work out this time.. Continue with what you're doing; its good for you!

I have always been an exerciser and with my first i continued working out like normal; cardio and strength training. I fizzed out a bit towards the end of the pregnancy when i got bigger but I definitely think it helps with the big event.. Having a strong core will definitely help when you are pushing. I literally was recovered the next morning and walking around just fine. Unfortunately i am high risk now and am not allowed to work out this time.. Continue with what you're doing; its good for you!

As a professional fitness competitor before I got pregnant, I trained 3 hours a day but now I am 17 weeks... but I am having twins, so a little different...My first trimester, some days I would do an hour cardio (never running) and that was it.. I was really sick so I averaged about 5 days a week...Now in my second trimester, I do 45 minutes of cardio every other day and weight lift 2 times a week... I have not done one ab crunch since second trimester.. I am scared to hurt the babies.. I tend to over do it and I know I will be killing my abs after the babies are born.. I do a lot oh hip workouts though and hip flexors... I take it day by day... I know exercise is good for singleton pregnancies but for twins, I am EXTREMELY cautious!One thing is for sure, I am already motivated to getting my body back after birth!!!!!!!!

As a professional fitness competitor before I got pregnant, I trained 3 hours a day but now I am 17 weeks... but I am having twins, so a little different...My first trimester, some days I would do an hour cardio (never running) and that was it.. I was really sick so I averaged about 5 days a week...Now in my second trimester, I do 45 minutes of cardio every other day and weight lift 2 times a week... I have not done one ab crunch since second trimester.. I am scared to hurt the babies.. I tend to over do it and I know I will be killing my abs after the babies are born.. I do a lot oh hip workouts though and hip flexors... I take it day by day... I know exercise is good for singleton pregnancies but for twins, I am EXTREMELY cautious!One thing is for sure, I am already motivated to getting my body back after birth!!!!!!!!

absolutely I have done it both ways with my first I stopped working out when I got pregnant and had a really hard delivery and it took me over a year to get all the weight off with my second I worked out through the hole pregnancy and had a very good easy delivery and lost all of the weight within 6 months. working out is the key to staying healthy unfortunately my elliptical just broke so I am waiting on my new one and I have gained 5 pounds it the past week and I really think it is because I have not been working out which stresses me out so I eat more lol cant wait to get my new one should be here in 2 weeks :) oh ya and it also helps with depression so to keep the baby blues away start working out after the baby as soon as you can!

absolutely I have done it both ways with my first I stopped working out when I got pregnant and had a really hard delivery and it took me over a year to get all the weight off with my second I worked out through the hole pregnancy and had a very good easy delivery and lost all of the weight within 6 months. working out is the key to staying healthy unfortunately my elliptical just broke so I am waiting on my new one and I have gained 5 pounds it the past week and I really think it is because I have not been working out which stresses me out so I eat more lol cant wait to get my new one should be here in 2 weeks :) oh ya and it also helps with depression so to keep the baby blues away start working out after the baby as soon as you can!

I have to say I havent done a single minute of actual exercise! And I work at a gym part time and can workout for free!! But, I think chasing my toddler around is good enough haha! Just to somewhat ease your mind, I babysat my friends 10m old (who is still in a carrier for some dumb reason and is bigger then my 15m old weight wise) and I had to carry her in her carrier and my 22 lb. 15m old to my apt as well as 2 diaper bags bc they were both passed out! I thought my arms were going to pop out of their sockets!! Needless to say I will never be doing that again!

I have to say I havent done a single minute of actual exercise! And I work at a gym part time and can workout for free!! But, I think chasing my toddler around is good enough haha! Just to somewhat ease your mind, I babysat my friends 10m old (who is still in a carrier for some dumb reason and is bigger then my 15m old weight wise) and I had to carry her in her carrier and my 22 lb. 15m old to my apt as well as 2 diaper bags bc they were both passed out! I thought my arms were going to pop out of their sockets!! Needless to say I will never be doing that again!

Pre-preg, I ran 30-50 kms a week, at least 1 road race every month, my favourites being half marathon, 30K, marathon. 4 days of running. 2 days of intense full body strength training with kettlebells, 1 day of hot yoga for rest and recovery. Didn't take off days.

1st trimester..continued with marathon training and ran a full marathon at 16W preggo. In training for the marathon, I ran a 30K race, often trained twice a day and even managed to win an age group award! Next weekend is my last road race before packing it in for the winter and the baby and I will have done 6 races already. Am starting prenatal yoga this week and looking for a treatment modality that will allow me to keep running.

Pre-preg, I ran 30-50 kms a week, at least 1 road race every month, my favourites being half marathon, 30K, marathon. 4 days of running. 2 days of intense full body strength training with kettlebells, 1 day of hot yoga for rest and recovery. Didn't take off days.

1st trimester..continued with marathon training and ran a full marathon at 16W preggo. In training for the marathon, I ran a 30K race, often trained twice a day and even managed to win an age group award! Next weekend is my last road race before packing it in for the winter and the baby and I will have done 6 races already. Am starting prenatal yoga this week and looking for a treatment modality that will allow me to keep running.

If Mom is happy, then everyone is happy, and Mom is happiest when she gets her training done.

From:
pegruns

To: movinmamma

Posted: Oct-24 01:30 AM (20 of 30)

Well, now I feel guilty. I have not done a thing in I don't know how long. I walk a couple times a week. I have been working 3 hours more per day (11 hour days now) and got a lecture from my mom last night for it. She is visiting for two weeks. So, maybe this weekend I can jog. Still have not gained a pound. 18 weeks pregnant now but showing finally, a little.Â

Peg

Well, now I feel guilty. I have not done a thing in I don't know how long. I walk a couple times a week. I have been working 3 hours more per day (11 hour days now) and got a lecture from my mom last night for it. She is visiting for two weeks. So, maybe this weekend I can jog. Still have not gained a pound. 18 weeks pregnant now but showing finally, a little.Â

Don't feel guilty. You do what your body tells you it can handle. Tbh, if it weren't for my class, I woudn't be exercising at all. Same thing with my first pregnancy - I was active duty military then, but I slacked off quite a bit in my workouts.Little things like parking farther from the store and going for a stroll with the hubby count, so don't feel like one of those stereotypes who sit around all day in hair rollers and terrycloth robes, watching soaps and eating bon-bons. You're not one of those, are you? Lol.

Don't feel guilty. You do what your body tells you it can handle. Tbh, if it weren't for my class, I woudn't be exercising at all. Same thing with my first pregnancy - I was active duty military then, but I slacked off quite a bit in my workouts.Little things like parking farther from the store and going for a stroll with the hubby count, so don't feel like one of those stereotypes who sit around all day in hair rollers and terrycloth robes, watching soaps and eating bon-bons. You're not one of those, are you? Lol.

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